In 2024, following the implementation of Iowa’s six-week abortion ban, there was a substantial rise in the number of Iowans seeking abortion services out of state. Data from regional abortion access funds indicate that 625 Iowans received financial and logistical support to obtain abortions elsewhere, a significant increase from 194 in 2023.

Funnel Week—the deadline for bills to clear initial committee approval—has wrapped up at the Iowa State Capitol. Several key pieces of legislation are advancing, some of which could significantly impact reproductive healthcare, public health, and education across the state.

Iowa lawmakers are considering HSB 186 and HF 423, which propose stricter regulations on medication abortion, including new consent requirements and felony charges for providers—stay tuned for updates on how these bills could impact reproductive healthcare.

Iowa lawmakers are proposing to include the “Meet Baby Olivia” video in public school curricula produced by an anti-abortion group.

A critical resource for reproductive health information, reproductiverights.gov, is no longer accessible.

Iowa Physicians for Reproductive Freedom (IAPRF) condemns the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the six-week abortion ban, citing its harmful impact on healthcare access and bodily autonomy. IAPRF pledges to advocate for reproductive rights and challenge this restrictive legislation.

IVF helps overcome the inefficiency of human reproduction by generating multiple embryos, but abortion bans threaten its effectiveness. Restrictive laws could eliminate choices about excess embryos, force clinics to shut down, and worsen Iowa’s OB-Gyn physician shortage, impacting infertility care and access to modern medical treatments.

Restricting abortion access has far-reaching consequences, including increased poverty, unemployment, maternal deaths, and poorer health and developmental outcomes for children, while disproportionately harming marginalized communities and perpetuating inequities across generations.

More than 60% of Iowans support safe, accessible abortion care, a decision that should remain between patients and providers—not dictated by government or Gov. Reynolds’ extreme agenda.